Police crack down on protestors at UM
Police took away at least 13 people today moments before they began demonstrating for the release of China’s human rights activist Ai Wei Wei before the arrival of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at Universiti Malaya.
Police took away at least 13 activists today moments before they began demonstrating for the release of China’s human rights activist Ai Wei Wei before the arrival of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at Universiti Malaya.
The protestors, of whom none are Universiti Malaya students, had assembled outside the Dewan Tumku Canselor on campus and raised a banner which read 'Welcome Premier Wen'.
About 10 uniformed and plainclothes police surrounded them and took them away after attempting to make them remove their shirts to reveal white T-shirts underneath.
Many refused to budge, saying that they were just sitting around, resulting in some shouting matches and police dragging some of them away.
They were neither informed of their rights nor did the plainclothes personnel show their authority cards despite being asked.
Police later forced some to remove their shirts to reveal another layer of T-shirt which read 'Release Wei Wei'.
When approached police officers refused to comment on why the people were taken away in a police truck.
Wen arrived moments after the police truck drove away.
'Protestors are local activists'
It is learnt that the protestors were taken to the Jalan Pantai police station.
They were named as Chia Wei Loon, Ngeow Chow Ying, Lau Shu Shi, Lee Ying Wai, Phoon Wing Kit, Kong Wee Chong, Heng Kiah Chun, Wong Chun Eow, Lim Jian Xing, Teh Yee Keong, Yap Heng Long, Tan Hui Chun and Toh Chin Hong.
In an immediate reaction, human rights organisation Suaram said among those arrested was its coordinator Yap Heng Lung and two followers of the Falun Gong movement that has been banned in China.
The Falun Gong followers are Li Ming and Li Xiu Ping. Suaram puts the total number of those arrested at 15.
According to a member of the group who eluded arrest, Chong Kok Seong, they are all local activists aged between 20 to 40-plus.
"Political parties and NGOs are duty-bound to be concerned with China's democratisation, and take an active role in the process," he said. 
"The Malaysia-China relationship should not just be based on economic, cultural or education but we should also lead China in promoting universal human rights."
Cops: Gathering was illegal
He said that, of about 40 people present today, half are students of tertiary institutions.
Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia chairperson and Kolej Universiti Islam Selangor Ahmad Syukri Abdul Razak said the 20 students present are from UM and Universiti Pertanian Malaysia.
"As students we have a responsibility to defend human rights in Malaysia and outside the country," he said.
When contacted Brickfields district polic chief Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said that the detainees were detained for participating in an illegal assembly.
Asked if they will be charged or released tonight, he said: "We don't know yet. We are still investigating."
It was later confirmed that 17 people in total were arrested in UM.
These included 13 local activists, two Fa Lun Gong activists, a Xin Jiang student, and a local who said he was a mere bystander.
By about 10.30pm, they were all released on police bail.
